The Kremlin said the two leaders discussed some aspects of the Middle East peace process in the telephone conversation before Putin’s meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the Russian capital.

They also discussed North Korea’s bid to develop nuclear weapons, with the White House explaining President Trump had ‘reiterated the importance’ of ensuring the Stalinist dictatorship is denuclearized.

Trump last month accused Russia of helping North Korea evade international sanctions meant to punish Pyongyang for its pursuit of a nuclear-armed missile capable of reaching the United States.

‘Russia is not helping us at all with North Korea,’ Trump said then.

‘I just spoke with American President Trump,’ Putin told Abbas yesterday before continuing the talks behind closed doors.